The second version of the chronologically-first ''Hannibal Lector'' series includes a prologue showing how the hero caught Hannibal, who was at the time helping said cop crack a serial murder case. Since the cop was nearly killed in the process, he has retreated to a quiet life in the country. Now, there is a new serial killer on the loose, and the cop's boss persuades him to help. This means interviewing Hannibal again, leading to a battle of wits. Meanwhile, the serial killer continues his killing spree, knocking off those who get too close to him...
124 minutes, No persons under 16 (Violence)
Crime, Mystery, Horror, Thriller
Ian Douglas: I found this quite enjoyable, probably because I am of the same personality type as the protaganists, and enjoyed their mind games.
(We're all INTJ, as was Clarise in ''Silence of the Lambs'').
FWIW, I also figured out the key long before the cop did, perhaps that was the filmmaker's intention.
It reminded me a great deal of ''Lambs'', both in plot structure and the interplay between Hannibal and the cop. It doesn't have
quite the shock value of ''Lambs'', but ''Lambs'' is a tough act to follow, anyway. The US reviews have been so-so, saying that
the only reason this version exists (when ''Manhunter'', the original version, was more than adequate) is because the producers
smelt money in another Hannibal movie with Anthony Hopkins.
